x635

I've got a stupid question. Do you absolutely need steady hands to do this hobby? Because I don't have the best fine motor skills, but have always wanted to build Bedford Hills Tower Ladder 57 in 1/32.

That's awesome. As a (well, not currently) frequent recreational rider of Metro North, I've noticed during rush hour, and even sometimes at off peak hours, the Metro North trains are PACKED. WIth three lines running through Westchester, if a severe incident were ever to occur, it probaly would affect not only the department the line runs through, but multiple othger agencies. In a nutshell, every Westchester FF and EMS provider should be required to take a class on train emergencies. I wonder what it would take for Westchester Fire Training Center to obtain one of the old M-1's they are disposing of, build a short railbed for the train with simulated third rail, and they will have a useful prop there, and it could even be an hour segment of FF1. Metro North repainted and donated an Engine to the Childrens Hospital, I wonder what it would take to get the above done?

Jimmy Gret photos from what seems like a great and lucky trip!

Many of you know that I want to customize my walker. I was hoping to get rid of it sooner, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon, so I want to paint my walker. The walker's main body is made of aluminum. I want to spray paint it lime green. I was thinking rustoleum, but do I (more like who does it for me) have to prepare th surface? I will also be adding blue stripes and making it "Walker 170" I may get a new one though. This one sucks.

Many people asked how I set up this shot: [attachmentid=2100] Here's a behind the scenes look at the x635 Diecast Collectible photo studio (which is also used for other items. (Not pictured- the tripod and camera). Special thanks to an anonymous friend for helping me with this- actually I just gave orders from my bed. [attachmentid=2101] I use this to photograph most of my pieces to go along with my inventory system. Sometimes though I set up the shot differently, like here. [attachmentid=2102] Again, special thanks to my friend for doing this for me and lifting my spirits a little in the meantime.

LOL Paul! I'd love to take you up on that offer, but by the time that's all done I'm hoping to be "promoted" to using a cane. Also, although I need my walker 24/7, I'm sure I could get a loaner. Thanks for the offer though, lol. I may still take you up depending on the events of this week. Maybe for a quick fix one of the E-170 guys will spray some rustoleum on it- the kind that's made specifically for that surface. That's after I get them to come over with the sawz all for a small task that needs doing.

WOW! Steve, that is AWESOME! You have quite a talent! For those not familiar with Stepjam's work, he's also kitbashed, amongst other things, Yonkers Rescue 1 and Ladder 73. Check it out his creations and art at: http://public.fotki.com/Stepjam/ Thanks for sharing with us here at EMTBravo! Can't wait for more photos!

From the LA City FD Blog/LAFD Media Relations Office http://lafd.blogspot.com/2007/02/firefight...injured-in.html

Believe me, I'd love to have a Rascal or Hoverround, but walking, even with a walker, keeps my legs sstrong. Hopefully I won't need the walker anymore after a few more weeks of physical therapy. and some other stuff.

A Roto-Ray would get people out of my way...not by the lights, but by hitting them. Some people are amazing,

Well, I WD-40 out of the wheels, that I have beat to crap going through salt and sand. I have to get someone to remove, clean, and replace/addjust the wheel assemblies. It's also time for new tennis balls. The aluminum on the walker has some sort of coating that would need to be sanded off. Then I thinlk some lime green Rust_Oleum (there are so many vsrieties these days) and some blue striping and I'll be all set. Boy, I feel bad for the next person coming to visit me who has these skills.... Or maybe I'll get one of those modern ones with brakes- or even better- a hover-round! But hopefully, Ill be on my feet again soon.

I just got my Code 3 Febuary release (opened at least), which was the Allentown Pierce RM Ladder. What an AWESOME piece! Like the Lafayette Quantum, this piece is very well detailed. I also think that the real rig itself is pretty nice! And, if you took out the double rear axles, you could kitbash it easily into Greenville Ladder 4. Hopefully, Code 3 will release the ALF LAFD Tiller soon. Here's a photo of mine: [attachmentid=2060] (Photo by x635, http://ww.x635Photos.com)

Hartsdale FD's Spartan Gladiator/4 Guys will be like nothing 4 Guys has built before. I've seen the design, and I don't think 4 Guys has bullt anything like it. The new Engine 170 is designed as a urban-esque first due engine, with added capability as a rescue pumper. I also believe that that Hartsdale is one of the busiest departments 4 Guys has built for. Engine 170 runs 800-1000 runs a year. Ridgefield, CT is another local career department that uses a 4 Guys engine.

I'd highly reccomend the Laffayette Quantum. It's a beautiful, well detailed piece and much more so than the Vegas models. Also, the Orange color makes it unique. Here's a photo of mine: [attachmentid=2059] (Photo by x635)

The Gannet Co. (which owns the Journal News), has aqquired The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Just found that interesting, and wonder if anything will change on The Advocate side.

Looks AWESOME! What brand is the body? It looks to be 4-Guys, especially with similar looking plant in the foreground.

Before my injury, I had been debating in my head whether I had made the right choice by going with my Dell XPS PC instead of a Mac. Everyone I know who has a Mac swears by them, and I have never heard a bad word about them. I used to use Mac's exclusively up to about 15 years old, when I got my first PC. I currently own a brand new Dell XPS 400 desktop, and a 4 year old Dell Inspiron 4150 laptop, ruunning Windows XP, and I'm satisfied with both, and my needs dictate a PC. (Although I could run Boot Camp) After having some extra dough from a prviate consulting job I did, the money was burning a hole in my pocket. Sure, the smart thing to do would have been to put it into savings. But there was something itching me, wanting me to buy a Mac, and I scratched it. Not having a need for another desktop, I got a Macbook Laptop. So, I finally got around to opening my brand new MacBook that I ordered the day before my injury.It's AWESOME! It's thin, light, and good looking....like me. It sports an Intel 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor. It's extremly user friendly, and am looking foward to learning all the features of this seeminly very well designed machine. There's a ton of innovative features. Well, I'm getting tired out so that's all for now. Here's the link to learn more about the MacBook: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebO...5D&nclm=MacBook Here's a photo: [attachmentid=2037]

With assistance from a friend, I recently was able to upgrade my Canon Digital Rebel XTi 400D. First, I recieved the new Tamron 18-250 Di-II lens that I've had on order since January. Although it'll be a while before I can try it out, I'm excited about the extra 50mm of range. Previously, I used the Tamron 18-200 Di-II, and used it exclusively. I found it to be an excllent walkaround lens. With it's wide angle and zoom, I never needed to use or change lens. If interested, I may be selling my Tamron 18-200, it's a great lens- you've seen my shots with it on this site. The second updgrade to my camera was "Camera Armor" http://www.camerarmor.com/ This is a rubber shell that encases my camera body, a plastic shiled over my LCD screen, and a rubber piece that fits over my lens. All the controls are stilll very accesible. My camera does take a lot of abuse, and I think this will help to protect it. My Digital Rebel 300D was exposed to rain, smoke, falls, etc and I wish I had this then, although knock on wood my D-Reb 300D was tough and never failed me. [attachmentid=2035] [attachmentid=2036] (Thanks to Kristen for typing this post for me)

As many of you know, I love my Tamron 18-200 Di-II lens for my Digital Rebel SLR. The Tamron Di-II series are lenses that are specifically made for digital SLR cameras. It's a great "walkaround", everyday lens. It's wide angle is great, and the big zoom makes the lens very handy and easy (not having to change lenses is a big help when shooting!) Anyways, I found out today that they are releasing an upgraded model, with a 18-250 range: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06093001tamron18250.asp I can't wait to see what this actually will retail for, I'd really like to pick one up.

Are there any spec changes to Engine 2 that are different from other similar HME Engines they have?

That looks AWESOME! I really like the color!

JTCamp has gotten some AWESOME shots of Spring Valley 17-Quint, with Spring Valley's 17 Rescue Check them out on EMTBravo.com: http://www.emtbravophotos.com/NewDeliverie...ngValleyTL.html

Seems like LACoFD has modified their hiring process.....

Today, while reading the latest issue of PC Photo magazine, I came across this awesome device that would be perfect for my camera and the situations I put it in. Check it out: http://www.camerarmor.com/ It seems like it's an awesome invention. Does anyone have it? I plan on purchasing it next week, along with my new Tamron 18-250 Di-II lens from B&H Phot supply next week. I'll report my findings as soon as I get better and can use my camera. [attachmentid=1994]

Although I currently own a Dell XPS Desktop and Dell Inspiron Laptop, with Windows XP, and love them, I recently got a credit that I can use towards a variety of electronics. I have heard rave reviews of the Mac. Now, I'm not switching my operations to a Mac, but thought if the price was right, I might try to add a MacBook laptop with Intel chip to my Arsenal, espeically since I'm spending a lot of time on a laptop. If I don't like it, I'll sell it on eBay. I just want to try the Mac and their OS X Tiger system. I used Macs exlusively up to age 14, but then made the PC swiitch. I'm considering ordering from MacMall.com Anyone have any advice or experience with Macs?